These 2 Indian Airports Are Named In The Prix Versailles World's Most Beautiful Airports List 2026

You know, in childhood, whenever we did something good, we were rewarded by our parents or teachers. In this world, we celebrate everything that is beautiful, perfect, or touches our hearts; that is why there are organisations like the Emmy Awards, the Oscars, the Nobel Prize, and more, which honour actors, directors, actresses, photographers, artists, designers, models, and authors for their diverse talent. But what if it is not limited to humans but also to non-living things, like museums, books, gadgets, roads, trains, and airports? In this article, we're going to discover the world's most beautiful airports, which have left a lasting impression on their passengers.

Who Decides Whether An Airport Is The World's Most Beautiful Airport Or Not?

Uhm, it can be difficult to decide on a single airport as the world's most beautiful since there are 195 countries, and each has around 50-100 airports, depending on its economy and level of tourism. But to make it easy for you, there's Prix Versailles, a reputable and prestigious annual global architecture and design award presented at UNESCO.

It celebrates newly launched airport terminals that beautifully combine modern architecture with innovative features, eco-friendly practices, local cultural elements, and a fantastic, passenger-focused travel experience.

This prestigious annual award for global architecture and design was established in 2015, focusing on commercial architecture (such as shops, hotels, and restaurants) in France before expanding globally the following year. The dedicated 'Airports' category was introduced later, in 2020, to honour world-class terminal design.

Prix Versailles Names World's Most Beautiful Airports For 2026

In 2026, Prix Versailles rolled out its list of the world's most beautiful airports. The Prix Versailles judges airports by evaluating how well their architecture serves both form and function. The judges look at three simple things:

• How it looks: Does the design honour the local culture and history of the city?
• How it works: Is it eco-friendly, full of natural light, and easy for travellers to navigate without stress?
• How it feels: Does it create a great experience that makes travelling enjoyable?

In short, a beautiful airport must look amazing and work perfectly for passengers.

And a surprising fact is that 2 Indian Airports are listed in the Prix Versailles list as among the most beautiful airports in the world. These 2 airports in India are Navi Mumbai International Airport (Terminal 1) and Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati (Terminal 2).

If you wish to look at the list of the top 7 World's Most Beautiful Airports in the world, then here you go:

A Look At The 2 Indian Airports Featured In Prix Versailles World's Most Beautiful Airports List 2026

Two top Indian airports have proudly made history by earning spots on the esteemed Prix Versailles 2026 list, celebrating some of the world's most stunning airports.

This international recognition beautifully highlights how these airports blend rich native cultural traditions with modern engineering wonders and a heartfelt dedication to eco-friendly design, making them truly exceptional landmarks.

Terminal 2: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati

• This terminal, found in Assam at the key meeting point of South and Southeast Asia, opened fully in April 2026. 
• Covering a large area, it increases the airport's yearly capacity to 13.1 million passengers. This is an important step forward for the region's connectivity.
• Terminal 2 was selected by the Prix Versailles because it is India's first airport designed around a nature theme. 
• Rather than using plain concrete, its design takes inspiration from the shapes of the Bamboo Orchid and Assam's rolling landscapes. 
• The jury highlighted how the terminal uses digital technology and green building methods to bring Northeast India's biodiversity into a sustainable and relaxing space for travellers.

Terminal 1: Navi Mumbai International Airport, Navi Mumbai

• Located in the Ulwe area of Maharashtra on a 1,160-hectare greenfield site, this major aviation hub began domestic commercial flights in December 2025. 
• International flights followed in July 2026. In its first phase, Terminal 1 can handle up to 20 million travellers each year.
• The Prix Versailles honoured the terminal for its bold, modern design inspired by the Lotus, India's national flower. 
• Its flowing roof shape lets in plenty of natural light, which helps reduce energy use. 
• The terminal stands out by blending advanced passenger automation with meaningful architecture that reflects a modern and ambitious India.